RETIRED teachers are encouraged to be involved in the
Government’s efforts to transform the country as part of the National
Key Result Areas programme.
The experience that retired teachers
possess is irreplaceable when it comes to providing feedback for
revamping the nation’s education system, said Deputy Education Minister
Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi.
“Since education is lifelong, teachers are
in charge of educating not only in the classroom or when on duty. They
are still responsible, even after retirement. Their experience is very
important,” he said in his address during an event to explain government
policies and current issues to retired teachers.
“People in other professions do not have lifelong titles. But with teachers, even after retirement, people still call them
cikgu,” he said, adding that teachers are the ones who help students achieve their potential.
Dr Mohd Puad (left) chatting with retired teachers at the Government Policy and Current Issue Explanation ceremony.
He said some retired teachers are still working to fill the void of English teachers.
“English
is a very important subject so when there was a shortage of teachers,
we contacted teachers from among the retirees,” said Dr Mohd Puad.
Thanaletchumy
Ayanadian, 69, who was the headmaster at SJK(T) Jalan Fletcher, said
that it is a good idea to continue using the skill of retired teachers.
“But they must get good teachers,” she said.
When
asked if she would go back to teaching, she chuckled and said that due
to her age, she would not go back to teaching. Instead, she could offer
advice.
Her suggestions for the current education system include
making sure that primary school pupils know their basics before allowing
them to move up a year.
“If a Year One student is very behind in
lessons, he or she should not be automatically promoted,” she said,
adding that she had come across Year Six pupils who could not even write
their names.
“Parents take for granted that their children will
go on to the next level, so if it doesn’t happen automatically, parents
will put in more effort to help them,” she said.
Newly-retired
but still keen to contribute to the field of education, former
headmaster of SJK(C) Kepong 1, Lee Kam Wah is involved with two
educational organisations — the National Association of Chinese School
Teachers and the Chung Hua Cultural Education Centre.
He told a recent education reform forum that the education system needs to be more open and flexible.
“We should change the system so that it can be used in any country.”
He
added that in this global age, it is important to improve the standard
of English among Malaysian students in the quest for knowledge and
opportunities.
“Learning does not have anymore boundaries and
children should learn from each other. Mutual learning is very
important,” said Lee.
He added that there should be more emphasis on teaching moral values.
“We need to teach students things like honouring their parents, giving back to society and so on.”
The
country’s education system is currently under review, which involves
collecting feedback from all relevant parties in a series of dialogues.
Six
of the public dialogue sessions, in which all interested parties are
invited to air their views, have taken place in nine different states.
Speaking
at a press conference, Dr Mohd Puad also said that although the Unified
Examination Certificate (UEC) had been recognised and would be accepted
for entry into local institutes of teacher education, certain criteria
must be met.
Applicants have to pass English at the Sijil
Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) level, get a credit in Bahasa Melayu and obtain
at least three credits in the UEC, he said.
He added that out of 355 applicants last year, 116 met the minimum requirements and were interviewed.
Out of those, only 14 were accepted for teacher training. This year, there were 198 applicants.
The Stars Oline: 23 Jun 2012
